News and Notes, Volume 12, Number 20

9/27/2012

Mitchell to appear on “The Doctors”
2012 Team USA Olympian Manteo Mitchell will be featured on “The Doctors” TV show on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Mitchell became an instant hero of the London Games after finishing the preliminary heat of the 4x400m relay in spite of fracturing his left fibula during the race.

Let’s Move spotlights track & field
The Let’s Move initiative has dedicated their latest blog post to track & field with video of Team USA track & field athletes encouraging kids to get moving and ten tips for parents wanting to get their kids moving and involved in track & field.

Ten Tips to Get Started in Track & Field

Running boosts cardiovascular health and increases aerobic capacity and leg strength. For these reasons, running is the foundation of many popular sports, including soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and football.

For parents seeking a kid-friendly workout, head to a local track. Run or jog laps around the track while your kids play on the infield. Encourage your kids to join you for your first and last few laps – then take to the field for cool-down stretching.

For a break from running, try a “field” event, like throwing. Head out to your backyard or a nearby park for a game of catch, or frisbee. Hold a throwing contest and give each person three attempts to see how far they can throw.

Want to work on math skills while you move? With a yardstick or measuring tape, help your child measure out 29’4½”— Mike Powell’s world record in the long jump. How many jumps does it take you to clear this distance? Practice this together a few times until you all see improvement.

Start a family routine of regular walks or runs. Pick one or more days of the week to commit to family walking or running time. Log your miles or city blocks in a visible place (i.e., a whiteboard, a chart on the refrigerator door) and set goals for the entire family. How many weeks will it take you to cover the same distance it would take you to drive to school, to grandma’s house, or even to another state?

Get outside and play games with your kids. Simple games like tag and capture the flag get us all running without even thinking about it!

Make running a social activity! Join a club or team and get to know people while you get moving. There are thousands of USA Track & Field clubs across the country. For more information and to find a club near you, visit www.usatf.org.

Ready, set, GO… with your kids! Find a local road race that has a fun-run for kids. Races are fun, exciting, and rewarding, no matter what place you finish.

Running is a sport for all ages. Track and field is the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and there are more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.

What are you waiting for? No matter where you live or how old you are, you can get a great workout with no more than a pair of shoes and a safe route. To find tracks and running routes in your area, check out USA Track & Field’s online database here.

Director of the Bruin track and field program, Mike Maynard, on Wednesday announced some additions to his UCLA coaching staff. The new coaching staff includes volunteers National Track & Field Hall of Famer Maurice Greene, former world record-holder in the men's 100m, and Sharon Day, the top U.S. finisher in the heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.